Liberal Democrats kick up stink over plans to hike cost of spending a penny in Cambridge

Plans to increase the cost of spending a penny in Cambridge have been met with opposition.

The city council’s new Labour administration proposes to hike the charges at public toilets which require payment from 20p to 30p in an emergency budget.

The additional income, of up to £10,000 annually, would go towards the authority’s planned campaign against poverty and anti-social behaviour.

But Cllr Catherine Smart, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “It was always council policy to keep charges to a minimum so that everyone could afford to use the toilets while at the same time preventing casual vandalism.

“There will be a cost in fitting new locks to accommodate this change and I’m not convinced the inconvenience and extra cost to the public is justified.”

Labour has said its proposals are “prudent” and reflect Government cuts.